The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-09-13
FLOODED STOCK.
Pleasing Sights at the Kentucky
ExpoSitionS.
THE COUNTRY FOR HANDSOME HORSES

LEXINGTON, Ky, September s.-[special
Correspondence.l- THE old-time Kentucky
fairs had their charms and last week tried
80 describe them as best l could from a remin-
iscent standpoint for they live now only in
the memory Of the few scntimentalists who
love the old times and the old ways and yearn
for drink out of the old spring or the well
where the boys lips were wet with libatlon
from the old oaken bucket. The old fashioned
fair is a thing of the past, and the centralizing
Influence of tho times has been at work upon
the idea which evolved it. The fair of today,
Ia Kentucky, Is really an exposition and Is
ruled by business rather than social interests.
The Lexington fair now in progress ut this
place is the metropolitan fair OF Kentucky and,
therefore, OF the United States. Better than
any of the others it represents tho modern
idea while il clings somewhat to tho old Gus
toms, and does not forget the ancient hospi-
fality of the land. There are other fairs
throughout central Kentucky, pleasant enough
in their way and all Of them are enjoyable
and attracting people from their own and the
surrounding counties to witness the fine dis
plays in the ring or to firt with the buxom
maidens on the amplthcatre or under the
trees. But all Of them are mere appetzers
for this great feast OF good things on olso rem
nants left after ii is over. And all Of them
are following afar off the fashions as set by
Lexington. Even Bourbon county, whose
fair il the Oldest the most conservative and
perhaps the most enjoyable OF all, has
iateu second place, and holds that only 10y
coming closer than any others to the methods
in vogue here Mahomct has come to the
mountain.
The breeders of horses and cattle of sheep
and pigs, OF ducks and geese and fowls even
pay little attention 10 the awards elsewhere,
but wait to SEQ who carries off the blue ribbon
at the Lexington far. so there are trOttcrs
and racers, buggy horses and draugt animals
and Shetland ponies and saddle stock and
combined horscsto 90 in harness or under the
saddle and even what is called the park
horse on exhibition, and foreign purchaser
can be suited in nything of the Kind he wants
from pair Of carriage horses to a street car
mule breeding jennet. | never anywhere
knew Of so many kinds Of horses anywhere as
here. There are competitive rings for every
conceivable sort of horse, or quasi horse eX-
Ccpi the cobra, and ] shouldn't wonder if a
premium was offered next year for the best
specimen Of that animal and have dozen en-
tries at least for the prize, Camels also may
be IN time included.
Kentucky, perhaps, moro than any country
in the world, has made study of the horse
and bred him according to Darwinian prnci-
pies. Outside the regular thoroUghbrcdS
and the trotters there are other breeds lust as
well marked for special purposes they
These are old-fashioned PAGERS who begct pa
Gers and inHict upon the world "a saddle gait
which is rs torturesome as the shambing jerk
of an Arabs camel but, strangely enough, the
very acme Of delight to woman. Then there
are saddle horses OF great speed and wonderful
beauty whose colts will be MS certain to 20 the
gaits of their sires as the sun will be to rise
Many of these win take the rider along at a
four minute gait SO easily chat he may hold n
full glass of water i'll hisshand and never spill
drop. Then there is the combined" horse
who knows all the fine points under the sad
die and will not bulge out OF II steady square
trot when tho harness is bucklcd on
him. All these inherit their
qualities from their ancestors, and though old
Denmark himself was n thoroughbred, not ono
OF his progeny has ever failed TO show saddle
gait
But the "park" horse is more the result of
education than of breeding Perhaps in time
he Will be brod hut as yet he is trained, and
there are mon who make their living by train
ing and selling these animals. Go into Con-
trail park in New York or Lincoln park in Chi
cago any fine day when the children of fashion
are giving themselves an airing, and the road
ways are thronged with fine vehicles aud hand
some horses See this young scion of wealthy
house mounted on his notified steed so Cantcr-
ing by. Now watch the horse shy at passing
phaeton with ladies in IL, and go prancing side
wise along champing his bit and arching his
neck, and threatening at every moment TO
throw his rider, who keeps his scat with superb
grace, and holds tight rein on his
clurser. These are all park horses, who arc
trained 10 do this sort of thing, and any child
can ride or drive thom without any
fear of consequences. Tho purpose |
of the performance in each case is TO make a |
display and win applause and admiration from |
the bysianders. 1t is n species OF cheap glory |
which fashionable people are willing to pay |
for aud horSemon arc willing To eater to So long |
rs ii brings good dollars TO their rockets,
A good park horse must be docilC and i'll. |
tclligcnt, wide between the eyes and mild in |
look when not excited He must have an |
archine neck and full mano and tail, glossy |
coat. stylish form, n good appetite and fine
digestion. He must be Jolly, good uatured |
NivaCious fellow without sluggiShness of either |
apprehension or motion, llc must be rather |
proud of himself and his education, apt TO learn
and quick to respond TO the proper signal l
have seen such u one driven through the |
streets of Lexington without reinS or bride and /
obeying the mere motion or the touch of n |
whip He would shake his head and paw the |
earth with his ears laid back; he would rear |
up and shy or would settle down to a loo trot !
at the motion of his drivers hand. OF course |
such horses are rarely found and sell for very |
high prices but fashionable people must have |
them.
All these kinds of horses have place here,
and contend not only for the premiums offered, |
but for more substantial rewards. The eyes
OF the whole country are upon them; men
from New York and San Francisco are gazing
ut their performances. This one may not win
the coveted prize, hut tomorrow he may he
sold TO y Chicago Crosus for enough to make
his owner happy for year TO come.
And II is so with the cattle also. There are
hig breasted purhams, aud round bodied
lterefords, and polled Anguses with their
short necks and compact frames, and little
Jerseys with delicate mu2zlcs and great, soft.
melancholy eyes, and ShHpey cars, tinted in
side like "A creamy she'll aud giving prcsage of
their butter making qualities. And there are
fine sheep with the iieeceS freshly washed,
CotSwolds and Southdowns; and hogs of all
accepted breeds every one with pedigree
longer than your arm. ina long row there are
two-story houses, made of lattice work. where
in fine fowls and rabbits and pigeons are
placed TO await the award of the Judges
And the lusty jacks and mild hammered jeu-
nets over in the rolling pasture yonder in
front of the grand stand, wait patiently for
their merits to be passed upon. IL is moro
like 4 state fair than mere county meeting,
and the best Of everything from luscious maids
on down through the gamut of men. and
horses, aud donkeys, and hogs and squasheS,
Is brought here for exhibition.
The fair grounds are just outside the city
limits on the west side Of town. and but few
rods from the depot of the Cincinnati
Southern railroad. Street cars run from any